Sounding board

The structure may be specially shaped to assist the projection, for example, being formed as a parabolic reflector.

In the typical setting of a church building, the sounding board may be ornately carved or constructed.

[1] The term "abat-voix," from the French word for the same thing (abattre (“to beat down”) + voix (“voice”)), is also used in English.

The term “sounding board” is also used figuratively to describe a person who listens to a speech or proposal in order that the speaker may rehearse or explore the proposition more fully.

When a person listens and responds with comments, they provide a perspective that otherwise would not be available through introspection or thought alone, and can potentially lead to creative hijack.